Spirulina is the commercial name for Arthrospira platensis, a species of filamentous cyanobacteria that is cultivated around the world as a food source. It is a very rich source of nutrition. As a matter fact, it was a staple of Aztec cuisine. The genus is also responsible for the flamingo's pink plumage.

It is currently popular as a health food in the U.S. and Europe, often taken as a dietary supplement in the form of powder or tablet.

Nutritional Facts

55 - 70 % protein.

Contains Vitamin A, B1 Thiamine, B2 Riboflavin, B3 Niacin, B6 Pyridoxine, B12 Colobalimine, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Folate, Vitamin K, Biotin, Pantothenic Acid, Beta Carotene , Inositol.

Minerals: Calcium, Manganese, Iron, Chromium, Phosphorus, Molybdenum, Iodine, Chloride, Magnesium, Sodium, Zinc, Potassium, Selenium, Germanium, Copper, Boron.

Contains: Phycocyanin , Chlorophyll, Carotenoids.

Contains: Myxoxanthophyll , Zeaxanthin , Cryptoxanthin , Echinenone and other Xanthophylls.

Gamma Linolenic Acid , Glycolipids, Sulfolipid s, Polysaccharides.

Amino Acids: Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Leucine, Threonine, Lysine, Tryptophan, Methionine, Valine, Alanine, Glycine, Arginine, Histidine, Aspartic acid, Proline, Cystine, Serine, Glutamic Acid, Tyrosine.

Reference

• The Spirulina\Arthrospira distinction http://www.antenna.ch/UK/BkSpi_UK.htm
• A review of Spirulina (Arthrospira) http://www.javeriana.edu.co/universitas_scientiarum/vol8n1/J_bernal.htm

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Spirulina
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Bacteria Phylum: Cyanobacteria Class: Cyanophyceae Order: Nostocales Family: Oscillatoriaceae Genus: Spirulina
Species
Spirulina corakiana Spirulina crispum Spirulina labyrinthiformis Spirulina laxa Spirulina laxissima Spirulina major Spirulina meneghiniana Spirulina nordstedtii Spirulina princeps Spirulina subsalsa Spirulina subtilissima Spirulina platensis Spirulina tenerrima Spirulina weissii

Spirulina is also a genus of filamentous blue-green algae, with a coil-like shape. ITIS recognises 13 species.